Diaphragm for sound-boxes.



a P. CATUGGI. DIAPHRAGM FOR SOUND BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, 1911.

Patented Dec. 9, 1913.

att c of experiments, I have discovered that by UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

rum oaru'oox, or NEWARK, nnw JER$EY, AssIGNon To A. r. MEISSELBAOH & BROTHER, A CORPORATION or NEW JERSEY.

DIAPHRAGM FOR SOUND-BOXES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9,1913.

Application filed March 22, 1911. Serial No. 616,171.

skilled in the art to which it pertains to make, construct, and use the same.

My invention relates to diaphragms for sound boxes used for recording and reproduction of sound upon the well-known phonograph, and more particularly relates to the form and structure of the diaphragm itself. Ordinarily, such diaphragms are made of glass, mica, celluloid, a thin sheet metal, as copper, bronze,,etc., or any thin elastic membrane. It has been proposed to construct these diaphragms with concentric annular corrugations, or with radial corrugations, with the idea that such corrugations will more readily gather up and respond to certain sound vibrations which a plain disk is incapable of responding to. From a series producing in the face of a metallic disk or diaphragm, what I have termed a grid formation of corrugation, I am able not only to record but also to reproduce more delicate of diaphragms.

sound vibrations than has hitherto been produced by the use of any of the special forms In some cases, I find that one shape or form of grid corrugation will respond more readily to certain delicate sound vibrations than a grid of another character, while such other grid will respond to sound vibrations which are a parently too gross for other forms of grid. Again, in some cases, I find it advisable to distort the disk from a true lain intoa concavo-convex contour; All 0 these various forms are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 illustrates the face of 9. diaphragm made in accordance with my invention with the rectangular form of grid. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a triangular-form of grid. Fig. 3 is a similar view wherein the grid is made up of curved corrugations so as toform the complete figure into rhombuses. Fig. 4 illustrates in crosssection, a sound box with a fiat disk made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4, but having the diaphragm concaved outwardly.

Similar reference numerals refer to like parts on the drawings.

I have shown one form of my invention in Fig. 1 wherein a plain disk of metal is stamped with a punch and die so as to form a circular rib or corrugation 2. Within this circular corrugation is located the grid heretofore mentioned, said grid being formed by a series of rectangular corrugations 3; that is, corrugations at right angles to each other so as to form a plurality of square depressions having plane bottoms in the face of the disk as clearly shown in this figure. In the center of the disk, thus formed, I leave a portion 4, of the metal or material plain 7 so as to form a convenient means for attach- In Fig. 2 theconstruction is substantially.

the same with respect to the disk, and a circular corrugation 2; but the grid is formed so as to produce the triangular depressions 6, the ribs or corrugations as shown being at angles of 60 degrees, so as to present a surface made up of triangles or triangular depressions with plane bottoms. The center portion in this case, for the attachment of the link-stud 5 is hexagonal.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the grid within the circular corrugation 2 as being made up of closely curved ribs or corrugations so as to produce a series of rhomboidal depressions 7 with plane bottoms.

Many other forms of grid could be produced in the face of the diaphragm, and within the circular corrugation 2. Therefore, I do not desire to confine myself to any particular or special form of grid, as many such forms will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

The forms of diaphragms as above illustrated and described in the drawings may readily be secured within the sound box, as shown in Fig. 4. This sound box consists of the section 8, having an annular ledge 9, against which is located a rubber gasket 10 followed by a paper gasket 11, upon which rests the margin of the diaphragm 1. Outside of the diaphragm is another paper gasket 11 upon which rests the flange 12 of the retaining ring 13, such ring being held in position either by. sweating or by any convenient fastening device.

The sound box illustrated in Fig. 5 is identical in form and construction with that illustrated in Fig. 4 with the single exception of the shape or contour of the diaphragm. In this case, the diaphragm is dished outwardly so as to be slightly concavo-convex. I' Wish it to be understood that with this diaphragm dished outwardly, any one of the forms of grids illustrated in the drawings, or in fact any other form of grid may be used, and still come within the scope of my invention, with this understanding, however, that such diaphragm Whether flat, or dished, shall be provided with a series of closely arranged polygonal depressions soas to give the appearance of a grid. There appears to be formed within the face of the disk, a plurality of supplemental dia phragms, each of which is especially adapted to the recordation and reproduction of sounds or vibrations which seem to be too delicate, to be reproduced by the usual plane diaphragm. This, I believe may be accounted for, in the fact that the bottoms of the several depressions are, in themselves supplemental diaphragms, each capable of independent vibration, and each capable of responding to some particular element of a combination of sounds, such as is ordinarily produced in vocal or instrumental music. The great number of such small supplemen tal or independent detached diaphragms, therefore, makes it possibleto secure a more perfect reproduction of composite sound than appears to be possible with plane disk diaphragms or diaphragms wherein the surface is ridged with concentric annular corrugations, or even with radial corrugations.

I claim: 1. A diaphragm for sound boxes comprising a disk, having a plurality of sets of intersecting corrugations formed in its face,

said corrugations being so arranged as to.

form a large number of comparatively small supplemental plane diaphragms.

2. A diaphragm for sound boxes, compris ing a thin metal disk, having a circular corrugation therein, and a large number of closely arranged angularly disposed, intersecting corrugations within said corrugation, whereby a plurality of supplemental plane polygonal diaphragms are formed.

3. A sound box for sound recording and reproducing devices comprising a box body and a diaphragm secured within said box body, said diaphragm having a large number of closely arranged angularly disposed, intersecting corrugations in its face Whereby a plurality of supplemental plane polygonal diaphragms are formed.

4:. A diaphragm for sound boxes, comprising a metallic disk having a plurality of sets of intersecting corrugations formed in its face, said corrugations being so arranged as to form a large number of comparatively' small supplemental diaphragms.

5. A diaphragm for sound boxes, comprising a thin metal disk, having a circular corrugation therein and a grid formed Within said circular corrugation by a plurality of sets of angularly disposed corrugations whereby a plurality of small supplemental plane diaphragms are formed.

- PLINY CATUCCI. Witnesses:

LOUIS M. SANDERS, Q. B. FRIEDEL. 

